"I'm not sure we should be doing this", Yukari worried as she stirred the cauldron's contents.
"Look, I gotta find a way to stop wanting to rape Tsukune", Kokoa shot back. "What's the next ingredient?"
"Pomegranate seeds", the witch replied after checking the book.
Quickly the young vampire scanned the ingredient shelves nearby and returned with the required ingredient. As she handed it to the witch their hands touched, drawing a blush from the witch. Before Kokoa could notice her blush it was gone, replaced by a scowl of concentration. The mixture turned color from a bluish green to a deep red.
"Wormsbane is next", Yukari said as she glanced at the open book beside her.
Seconds later Kokoa returned with a jar and handed it to Yukari. The witch dumped a small amount into the cauldron and continued stirring. Her brow furrowed as the mixture turned a sickly green with brown swirled through it.
"That isn't right", she muttered as she turned the jar to see the label, which read Wolfsbane.
"What's wrong", the vampire asked.
"We are so fucked", Yukari muttered, gripping Kokoa tightly as the cauldron suddenly exploded.
-\/-\/-
Kyoko had her arms full with groceries as she walked toward the girls' dorm. As she rounded the corner she ran straight into a brown haired man, her breath puffing out of her as she fell back. She glanced up to see him smiling apologetically as he held his hand out to help her up.
"I'm sorry", she mumbled sheepishly as he pulled her to her feet. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"The fault is all mine", he said with a smile. "My name's Gin. Who are you?"
"Kyoko", she replied slowly before gathering the bags she had dropped and hurrying away.
There's no way that could be him is there? No, it's impossible.
As she began climbing the stairs to the room she shared with Yukari she heard a muffled explosion, causing her to jump. She ran the rest of the way up the stairs and dropped her bags to fumble the key out of her pocket. Her heart raced as she unlocked the door and flung it open. Her jaw dropped at what she saw.
The room was a wreck, with items blown all over the place. Pieces of a cauldron had been embedded in the walls with clumps of some sort of potion dripping from them. A single strip of Yukari's cape lay smoldering on the floor, but the shrinking portal in the middle of the room caught her attention most. A hand she recognized protruded from the portal. It was Yukari's, she could tell from the silver promise ring she had surprised the younger witch with late one night. Without thinking she leapt for her lover's hand, only for it to disappear into the portal as it vanished. Tears began to pour from her eyes as she landed hard on her stomach.
-\/-\/-
Tsukune had just pulled his shirt over his head when he heard the headmaster's voice in their living room. He hurried from the bedroom to see what was going on, meeting Moka in the hallway. Her face showed just as much confusion as he felt as they made their way toward the slowly escalating voices.
"What the hell do you mean there was an 'accident' in their room", Mizore nearly shrieked.
"I agree with Mizore", Tsukune said as he stepped into the room.
"It appears that our young witch was in the process of making a banishing potion", the headmaster explained. "Something has evidently gone wrong."
"Judging by the pieces of metal stuck into the wall I would say that's a fair assumption", Kyoko sniffled angrily as she walked out of the kitchen with a steaming mug of coffee.
The four students spoke with the headmaster for several minutes, always returning to the question of what exactly had happened in the room Tsukune's cousin shared with Yukari. Tears mixed with sniffles as Kyoko listened to the details that had been gleaned by the investigation before Kyoko stood with her empty coffee cup in hand.
"Does anyone want some", Kyoko asked as she started toward the kitchen.
"I didn't even know we had coffee", Tsukune muttered.
"You would if you spent less time between their thighs", Kyoko growled when she pushed his mug into his hands. "Maybe then you could appreciate the luxuries afforded to you."
For over an hour they sat and talked, discussing every detail and exploring every option, until they had come to a conclusion. The girls were transported, not destroyed like Kyoko had feared. Following them would be possible if they could recreate the mixture Yukari had accidentally made.
"Then what are we waiting for", Kyoko asked as she bolted from her seat. "We need to get my lovey back."
"All in good time", Ruby said as she eased into the living room. "No good expedition gets underway without a little preparation first."
"Excellent timing as usual, Ruby", the headmaster called affectionately before turning back to face Tsukune. "Ruby will accompany you, Tsukune."
"So that she can fondle him", Moka muttered as she stood to get dressed.
"It would be dangerous and foolish for me to allow you to leave", the headmaster soothed as he approached Moka. "I have the utmost faith in Ruby's combat and tracking abilities."
"That's not what has me worried", Moka sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"I promise I won't wear him out too much for you", Ruby winked and flicked the tip of her tongue at Moka.
"See, that right there is what I mean", Moka shouted as she pointed at Ruby, who was doubled over laughing.
"She will be on her best behavior", he said darkly as Ruby continued to laugh
-\/-\/-
Time seemed to stand still as Yukari checked the young vampire in her arms for injuries. The hellish landscape shot forth geysers of flames and ash from time to time as Yukari scanned her surroundings. Creatures scurried past piles of bones and hid in various crevices. A single mournful cry cut through the ambient noise to send a chill down the witch's spine as Kokoa stirred.
"She lives", Yukari joked as she helped Kokoa sit up. "How are you?"
"My skull is on fire and I'm shaking like I just had a passionate night with Tsu- I mean, Kurumu."
"That will pass in time. We gotta move it. Can you walk?"
With a simple jerk of her head Kokoa stood and followed Yukari. Almost immediately the witch noticed the other girl limping and pulled her arm over her head despite her objections. Slowly the girls made their way up a hill and found themselves gazing out over a fiery land. Off in the distance they could see a castle surrounded by a moat of fire.
"I guess we need to get a move on", Kokoa laughed dryly.
"You're not going anywhere", a deep voice rasped behind them.